Kenneth A. Gee, 79, of Marion and Boston passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 14, on Cape Cod. Husband of Barbara Bullock Gee for 55 years, kind and generous father to Judy Gee Lewis of Dover, MA, Clark Gee and his wife, Margaret of Marion and Ronald Gee of Golden, CO. Grandfather, confidant and golf partner to Andy Lewis, and inspiration to grandchildren Amanda and Austin Lewis.
Born in Chicago on October 10, 1933, son of Joseph and Florence (Koeller) Gee. Ken graduated from Northwestern University in 1956, served in the U.S. Army for two years then began his business career at the Harris Bank while attending University of Chicago as an MBA candidate.
Ken’s family was known in Chicago since the 1930?s traditionally for Gee Lumber stores, selling ice and coal and building windows and doors, with a few home supplies. Ken came to the family business with ideas for marketing the vast variety of modern housewares, and appliances ? and the new concept of central air conditioning. The stores became instantly exciting and popular with customers and Ken was named corporate president at age 34.
In 1971, Mike Grossman brought Ken to Braintree to supervise the 250 Grossman stores in New England, California and the Mid-Atlantic states. Ken was named Executive Vice President. The family moved to Boston and Marion, MA. where Ken became involved in all aspects of retail development and also pursued his love of concert music. He served on the Board of Boston Classical Orchestra, and was a founding member of the Buzzards Bay Musicfest, and was a decades long supporter of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the New Bedford Symphony.
Along with a deep knowledge of classical music, romantic composers, their special works and historical data, Ken was equally an avid sports fan. Moving to Boston brought on new loyalties to Bruins, Red Sox and Patriots and Ken enjoyed watching the Celtics even on his last days of life. It was a family game to challenge Ken to quote remote statistics on current or past athletes with details of their team performances. And he could also give correct answers on sonatas, Mozart and note hundreds of serious compositions in historic detail. He also enjoyed being mistaken for Kenny G, the fine saxophone player.
Ken was past president of the Chi Psi fraternity at Northwestern University and a member of The Kittansett Club in Marion, The Sippican Tennis Club, and The Beverly Yacht Club.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hope Health Hospice, 765 Attucks Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601.
His Memorial Service will be held on Monday, December 3rd at 3 PM in the New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA 02740. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. For on-line guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.